2. The Times, May 19, 1924 The Times, May 19, 1924
Theme: At the time of Lenin’s death, Stalin is little known
‘Lenin’s Body in Moscow’
- Describes Lenin’s funeral procession
- Stalin is mentioned as one of the coffin bearers
- Trotsky is given more attention
- Three other members of the Communist Party are expected to make up the triumvirate, the head of the government (Rykoff, Tsurupa and Kamenev)
‘The Bolshevist Aim’ shows how things have moved on by May
- Stalin is now in the Triumvirate, along with Zinoviev and Kamenev
- “Stalin is the least vocal, but not the least influential”
- Article shows a translated speech of his
Conclusion: counters the misconception that he came from nowhere
The Times, May 19, 1924
The Times, May 19, 1924
The Times, January 25, 1924

3. Illustrated London News, January 24, 1925
Theme: Fall of Trotsky
‘Bolshevist Discord’
- Triumvirate accuse him of encouraging strife among the Bolshevists
- Trotsky is denounced as disruptive and a “Menshevik” due to apparent anti-Communist views
- First mention of his expected dismissal with rumours of house arrest
- Leads to his first, brief, expulsion from the Communist Party
‘ Trotsky’s Offending Programme’
- Zinoviev details the problems that Trotsky has caused
- Criticized of being a “bourgeois”
‘ Our Note Book”
- Trotsky to relinquish his post as President of the Revolutionary War Council
- Kamenev claims that “all who regard Communism as their greatest enemy, [Trotsky is] a symbol of emancipation from the thrall of the Government.”
Conclusion: Trotsky is forced out of power by Stalin and his supporters
The Times, November 24, 1924
The Times, December 03, 1924
Illustrated London News, January 24, 1925

4. The Times, August 16, 1926 The Sunday Times, April 28, 1929
Theme: Consolidation of Power
‘Kamenev Dismissed from Office’
- Kamenev is dismissed from the Triumvirate and the Communist Party following Zinoviev’s dismissal, only Stalin remaining
‘Stalin’s Grip on Russia’
- Politicians are continuously removed from their strategically important positions – Tomsky has been removed as head of the Soviet Trade Union Movement and Bukharin as editor of the Party organ Pravda
- Predicts that this will lead to further drastic weeding out of Right Wing followers from key party and administrative jobs
The Times, August 16, 1926
The Sunday Times, April 28, 1929

5. Illustrated London News, December 10, 1927
The Inner History of the Bolshevist Split
- The overview of Stalin’s consolidation of power, starting with the history of the Russian communist party (how it all began) to how Stalin used these elements to claim power
Conclusion: Stalin is removing all opposition in order to claim the Communist Party as his own
Illustrated London News, December 10, 1927

6. Picture Post, September 09, 1939 The Listener, June 03, 1931
Theme: Stalin’s Legacy
‘A Land at War’
- Eye-witness account of the 5 year Plan
- Compares the new, industrialised Moscow to what it once was
- In order for industrialisation to take place, the government had to cut funds across other sectors, such as farming: “…in Russia I never saw a single hungry person. Neither did I see more than a few properly nourished persons.”
- No one openly criticises the 5 Year Plan, but it is treated with ironical humour
‘How It Happened’
- Russia signing the non-aggression pact with Germany
- Occurrences leading up to this event reported in chronological order
- Includes a brief biography of Stalin on page 18
Conclusion: Stalin’s policies and his plans for Russia and communism
Picture Post, September 09, 1939
The Listener, June 03, 1931

7. The Sunday Times Search Terms “Stalin” AND “Man of Steel”
Through NewsVault it is possible to access millions of pages of newspapers providing both factual and anecdotal information
It is possible to follow the chronology of events and witness the change of beliefs and opinions weaving through society as events progressed
‘Joseph Stalin’
- Looks back over the years from when Stalin first became the secretary of the Communist Party through to when he claimed power
- A definite change in personality and action can be noted as he gradually moves through the ranks
- Provides an example of Stalin’s influence even early in his career
Conclusion: although Stalin was practically an unknown figure during Lenin’s lifetime, he already played quite an influential role within the party
The Sunday Times Search Terms “Stalin” AND “Man of Steel”
December 04, 1927